Part Season Tickets ‘Lottery’

Navin Shah: TravelWatch have recently called for ‘an overhaul of the out of date fares system to stop the current season ticket lottery and recognise the changing needs of commuters, many of whom no longer need to travel into London every day’. Do you support the call for the three changes e.g. part time season tickets, fares cappingand end of unfair season ticket prices?

The Mayor: London has long offered a pay as you go system with daily capping in order to meet the needs of people who do not work full-time. London has been a world leader in this with Oyster and contactless.
Since 2015 one day caps have been made equal to one fifth of weekly season ticket prices and caps so that someone working part time pays proportionately the same amount of money as someone working full time. This has brought the required fairness and customers have been voting with their feet transferring to pay as you go.
The Government’s Rail Review, led by Keith Williams, underpinned by the industry’s proposals to investigate delivering an easier to use, better value fares system would provide a way forward for national rail. Transport for London is actively working with both the Department for Transport and the Rail Delivery Group to support where appropriate.

Debate over Covid-19 Risk Reduction Interventions

Keith Prince: Section 6.17 of TfL’s 27 July “Response to UCL Initial Assessment of London Bus Driver Mortality from COVID-19 Report” states “There was debate over interventions that were not part of PHE advice. TfL asked the operators to continue to follow the PHE advice.” Please provide me with all documentary evidence related to that ‘debate’, including the instructions from TfL to Bus Operators to follow PHE advice at any date in 2020.

The Mayor: I have asked Transport for London to collate this documentation and respond to you directly once this is complete.

Overview and Precise Chronology of Covid-19 Risk Reduction Actions taken by Bus Operators

Keith Prince: According to the Minutes of the TfL-UCL “Bus worker and Covid-19 Research Steering Group” Meetings published on TfL’s Website, TfL provided an overview and a precise chronology of steps taken by the bus operators following start of coronavirus pandemic. Please provide me a copy of this overview and this precise chronology and any associated email and written communications.

The Mayor: I have asked Transport for London to collate this documentation and respond to you directly once this process is complete.

Temporary Suspension of Free Travel for 11-17 year olds (7)

Alison Moore: Of the children with an a) 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard; or b) 16+ Zip Oyster photocard, who live less than two miles from their school/college, how many of them cannot walk due to a medical condition or lack of mobility and so remain eligible for free travel to school? Please provide details of how this information is being sourced and compared with TfL’s ZIP card data.

The Mayor: Please see my answer to Mayor’s Question 2020/3159.

Temporary Suspension of Free Travel for 11-17 year olds (8)

Alison Moore: When do you expect the DfT to share the Equality Impact Assessment with TfL?

The Mayor: Transport for London has responded to a draft Equality Impact Assessment from the Department for Transport (DfT), but has not yet seen the final version. It is not known when the DfT will share this.

Temporary Suspension of Free Travel for 11-17 year olds (9)

Alison Moore: The Government would like the suspension to be in place after October Half Term. What needs to be true in order to meet this deadline?

The Mayor: The Government has asked Transport for London (TfL) to temporarily suspend free travel for 11-17-year-olds as part of its funding agreement. TfL is discussing the implementation of this with the Government, including reviewing the activities and tasks that need to be completed.
Before any changes are finalised, the Equality Impact Assessment being undertaken by Government will need to be completed, and a public and stakeholder engagement exercise will need to be conducted. Given that this has not yet taken place, at this stage we cannot confirm a timeline for when changes to the existing concessions will be made.

TfL pay (1)

Gareth Bacon: In light of the pandemic and resulting budget pressures, what action has TfL taken to review its executive pay structures and bonus awards?

The Mayor: Prior to the pandemic, Transport for London (TfL) was already reducing its operating costs year on year, and had already placed constraints on pay and performance awards to executive and senior staff. A base pay freeze for the Commissioner, Managing Directors and Directors implemented in 2016 for the duration of my Mayoral term still remains in place. A pay freeze for senior managers has also been put in place effective from 1 April 2020.
In addition, in light of the financial implications of coronavirus on the organisation, the payment of performance awards to senior staff for 2019/20 has been deferred until June 2021. Performance award schemes for senior management have also been suspended for 2020/21.

Temporary Suspension of Free Travel for 11-17 year olds (5)

Alison Moore: Of the children with an a) 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard; or b) 16+ Zip Oyster photocard, who live less than two miles from their school/college, how many of them are in alternative provision and so remain eligible for free travel to school? Please provide details of how this information is being sourced and compared with TfL’s ZIP card data.

The Mayor: Please see my answer to Mayor’s Question 2020/3159.

Temporary Suspension of Free Travel for 11-17 year olds (6)

Alison Moore: Of the children with an a) 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard; or b) 16+ Zip Oyster photocard, who live less than two miles from their school/college, how many of them do not have a safe walking route to school and so remain eligible for free travel to school? Please provide details of how this information is being sourced and compared with TfL’s ZIP card data.

The Mayor: Please see my answer to Mayor’s Question 2020/3159.

TfL Station Developments (2)

Andrew Boff: Will the TfL developments at Arnos Grove, Blackhorse Road, Canons Park, Cockfosters, Colindale, Finchley Central, Harrow-on-the-Hill, High Barnet, Hounslow West, Northwood Town, Rayners Lane, Stanmore, Sudbury Town, Wembley Park and Woodside Park all be tenure blind?

The Mayor: Each of Transport for London’s (TfL’s) planning applications is guided by the local council’s guidelines and consultation with the local community. Across the portfolio, 50 per cent of all homes brought forward since May 2016 will be affordable. TfL expects to build all of its schemes as tenure blind with regards design quality and appearance.

Temporary Suspension of Free Travel for 11-17 year olds (3)

Alison Moore: Of the children with an a) 11-15 Zip Oyster photocard; or b) 16+ Zip Oyster photocard, who live less than two miles from their school/college, how many of them have a social worker and so remain eligible for free travel to school? Please provide details of how this information is being sourced and compared with TfL’s ZIP card data.

The Mayor: Please see my answer to Mayor’s Question 2020/3159.

Measuring the impact of the Report it to stop it campaign

Siân Berry: I am very concerned to see recent data reported in the Independent (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-underground-sexual-harassment-tube-groping-catcall-a9694736.html) that sexual assault and harassment on public transport remains a significant and harmful problem for Londoners, but that nine in ten people affected do not report it.
Could you provide the latest reports on activity and impact of the Report it to stop it campaign, including levels of publicity year by year, and changes in reporting, arrest and conviction rates since the campaign started in 2015?

The Mayor: The information you have requested is taking longer than expected to collate. I have asked Transport for London to contact you directly.

Improving public transport CCTV retention times and communication (1)

Siân Berry: Thank you for your answers to my questions 2017/2109 and 2017/2788. I am very concerned to see recent data reported in the Independent (https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/london-underground-sexual-harassment-tube-groping-catcall-a9694736.html) that sexual assault and harassment on public transport remains a significant and harmful problem for Londoners, but that nine in ten people affected do not report it.
Could you: a) update me on progress to increase and make more consistent retention times for CCTV data on different modes of public transport, b) increase publicity around the value of reporting these crimes and the very short time limits to obtain this crucial evidence on some modes of transport, and c) put prominent information on public transport and include this information in promotional campaigns, such as Report it to stop it?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) welcome the efforts of CoVisible and other organisations to raise the profile of this important issue and to help encourage reporting. TfL’s own research to track experience and reporting of unwanted sexual behaviour shows that reporting now stands at over 40%.
TfL and its policing partners remain determined to eradicate unwanted sexual behaviour from London’s public transport. Its important work to improve confidence to report, make it easier to report, improve the investigation of offences and enhance victim care and support continues.
Improvements to CCTV including retention periods across the transport system is a long-term aim given the complexity and significant costs with upgrading systems and storing data. As set out in my response to Mayor's Question 2018/2104, as CCTV technology continues to improve, TfL will look for opportunities to increase current retention periods where needed, in accordance with data protection legislation, the Surveillance Camera Code of Practice and guidance from security services.
TfL and its police partners use the press and other PR channels to continue to emphasise the importance of reporting. Where appropriate, TfL and the police will emphasise the importance of early reporting so that the police can seize all evidential opportunities. This needs to be done carefully so that it does not inadvertently create additional barriers for victims to come forward and report when they are ready.
I understand that you met with TfL representatives in 2018 to discuss this issue and that TfL agreed to update the information on its website. For security reasons, TfL could not agree to additional publicity of more detailed information on CCTV retention periods.

GLA Auditors

Tony Devenish: How much does the GLA family spend on auditors? Will you look closely at the Financial Reporting Council report at "unacceptable work by the Big 4" and potentially change firms in light of their concerns to penalise poor performance?

The Mayor: The total amount spent by the GLA Group in 2019/20 is £1,212 million.
GLA
128,300
GLAP
122,800
LFC
£99,161
LLDC
£84,000
MOPAC
£92,400
OPDC
£12,000
TfL – group
1,000,000
TfL – corporate
200,000
GLA Group total
£1,212,000.00
The Secretary of State for Housing Communities and Local Government has specified Public Sector Audit Appointments Limited (PSAA) (https://www.psaa.co.uk/) as an appointing person under provisions of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014. For audits of the accounts from 2018/19, PSAA appoints an auditor to relevant principal local government bodies that opt into its national scheme.

Benchmarking London’s Transport Worker Covid-19 Deaths against Peer World Cities

Caroline Pidgeon: Further to my Question 2020/2122 will you consider instructing an independent body to benchmark London against its peer world cities for deaths and hospitalisations of transport workers from Covid-19?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) has already commissioned University College London’s Institute of Health Equity to undertake research into the tragic deaths of London bus drivers as a result of Covid-19. Phase one of this study has reported and has benchmarked against Office for National Statistics (ONS) and Public Health England (PHE) data. Phase two of the research should be completed in December. The research identified risk factors for death due to Covid-19 and these are in keeping with the findings of the ONS and PHE data.
TfL continues to work with the International Bus Benchmarking Group run by Imperial College London. This group collates and analyses data provided by TfL and other members, and this is summarised within a regularly updated report entitled ‘How is the global transport sector responding to the Coronavirus (COVID-19)?’ which can be found here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/transport-studies/transport-strategy-centre/applied-research/covid-19/. TfL has no plans to commission further benchmarking.

GLA staff bonuses

Gareth Bacon: What and how many staff bonuses have already been made and are due to be made across all GLA functional bodies in 2020/21 and what is the anticipated total amount?

The Mayor: Total spend to date by the GLA Group on staff bonuses in 2020/21 is £6,496,118.
The total amount of bonuses paid by the GLA in 2020-21 is £132,000.
The London Fire Brigade does not pay bonuses.
The total amount of bonuses paid by the LLDC in 2020-21 is £156,927.
No bonuses were awarded to MOPAC staff.
The total amount of bonuses paid by the LLDC in 2020-21 is £109,565.
OPDC has not paid any bonuses in 2020/21 nor will any bonuses be paid.
The total amount of bonuses paid by the TfL in 2020-21 is £6,097,626.

Covid-19 Risk Reduction Actions for London Transport Workers

Caroline Pidgeon: Point 3.29 of the minutes of the 10 September 2020 Safety, Sustainability and HR Panel Meeting states “We are considering whether we could have anticipated changes to that advice and implemented some of our actions earlier.” Why is this activity (a) being conducted internally and (b) was not included in Phase 1 of UCL IHE’s "Review into coronavirus infections and deaths among bus workers"?

The Mayor: I understand that the quote you have referenced is taken from a paper presented at the meeting of Transport for London’s (TfL’s) Safety Sustainability and Human Resources Panel that took place on 10 June 2020. The Paper was entitled ‘Update on TfL's Safety and Health Response to Covid-19’.
Point 3.29 of that paper considered whether there was any scope to anticipate changes in PHE advice in order to implement actions earlier. The paper was an opportunity to take stock at that point in time. It noted that TfL acted promptly on advice from a number of sources. It continues to follow government advice on managing Covid-19 in the workplace and has a number of workstreams anticipating likely developments so that it can respond promptly. TfL is also reviewing and learning from earlier events and actions. There is no requirement for an external review.
Further, Phase 1 of the UCL IHE’s review considered the actions taken to mitigate the risk of Covid-19 taken by bus companies and the speed with which they were taken. The review was not able to comment on the effectiveness or otherwise of any particular action because they mostly took place around the same time as lockdown occurred; it is lockdown that appears to have had the biggest impact in reducing risk of infection among bus workers.

Suspension of Concessionary Fares – 60+ Oyster Card

Navin Shah: I’m concerned that there is not enough focus on the travel needs of older people. Please confirm that you are committed to the scrapping of the discriminatory ban on use of the 60+ Freedom Pass during morning peak hours. Please indicate what steps you’ve taken to lobby the government to withdraw the restrictions and how long will older people have to wait till their freedom to travel is restored?

The Mayor: Temporarily suspending travel for these card holders in the morning peak was a requirement set by Government when they provided emergency funding to TfL in May. As you may be aware, there were a number of conditions the Government insisted upon in agreeing to assist TfL in plugging the funding shortfall which had come about as a result of the COVID-19 related collapse in fare revenue. This condition was required to help enable social distancing on public transport during the coronavirus pandemic.
I am sorry that these changes have now been put in place despite understandable concerns from people with these passes. I fought to limit the changes to the morning peak and was able to achieve a 9am cut off rather than 9.30am. The duration of the changes will be kept under review and TfL and I will continue to work with Government regarding how long they are needed.

Bus Stop Closure Signs

Andrew Boff: Why aren't bus stop closure signs put at eye-level?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) does put bus stop closure notices in shelters at eye-level, but only when third parties confirm disruption will last some time and it can provide reliable travel information.
Sometimes closures are required without notice and without the cause being immediately apparent. TfL’s first measure is normally to put hoods over the bus stop signs so customers and drivers can see that the stop is not in service. It also tries to provide information as early as it can, often through its website or Twitter feed, as soon as it becomes aware of problems. TfL continues to look at ways it can improve information for customers and is always willing to listen to new ideas.

School Bus Routes (4)

Alison Moore: Rachel Maclean MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport) has said, “The cost of providing travel for eligible children on TfL services will not fall on London boroughs”. Do you know who the cost will fall on? TfL or the DfT?

The Mayor: The Government has asked Transport for London to temporarily suspend free travel for 11-17-year-olds as part of its emergency funding agreement. TfL is discussing the implementation of this with the Government and London’s boroughs. Full details are not yet finalised but would be widely communicated as soon as finalised.
The detail around the costs has yet to be resolved; however, TfL is working to the principle that the costs will not fall on the London boroughs.

TfL Bonuses

Susan Hall: It was reported in June that TfL bonuses from last year would be delayed until next year, and that no bonuses would be awarded at all for this year. Can you confirm whether this is correct, whether it related to all staff, and/or whether some staff have indeed received either bonuses or performance-related pay (with details if so)?

The Mayor: Please see my response to Mayor's Question 2020/2678.

TfL Pay Increases

Susan Hall: Can you confirm any confirmed or anticipated TfL pay award/increases for 2019/20 and 2020/21 and the staffing grades these have or will apply to?

The Mayor: The accompanying table details pay awards and budgets across all pay frameworks within Transport for London (TfL) between 2019 and 2022, where these are confirmed. Where no value is shown, this indicates that the pay award has yet to be determined.
Prior to the pandemic, TfL was already reducing its operating costs year on year, and had already placed constraints on pay and performance awards to executive and senior staff.
A base pay freeze for the Commissioner, Managing Directors and Directors was implemented in 2016 for the duration of my mayoral term therefore still remains in place. Additional to these measures, a pay freeze for TFL’S Senior Managers will be effective from 1 April 2020 and the payment of performance awards to senior staff for 19/20 have been deferred until June 2021.

Free Under-18s Travel in Enfield & Haringey

Joanne McCartney: How many young people in (1) Enfield & (2) Haringey are set to miss out on the free under-18s travel that they were previously entitled to if the government’s plans to scrap this investment in our children and young people go ahead?

The Mayor: The local education authorities are the statutory bodies that can assess young people’s eligibility for free travel. Transport for London does not hold this information and therefore is not able to provide it.

LIP Funding

Susan Hall: How much LIP funding was given to each London Borough over the last year?

The Mayor: In the financial year 2019/20, Transport for London allocated a total of £171 million of LIP funding to London boroughs across a variety of programmes. A breakdown for each borough is detailed on the attached table.

South Kensington Tube station

Caroline Pidgeon: In answer to Mayoral Question 2016/1343 you stated: “I want London's transport system to be accessible to all Londoners and I am working with TfL to develop more innovative ways to fund step-free projects and to use new technology and construction techniques so more can be delivered.
The previous TfL spending plans suggested that there is scope to increase the TfL funding that is available to improve step-free station access, and I will examine this possibility as I work with TfL to develop its new Business Plan over the coming months.”
Following these specific commitments made four years and four months ago, please state: (1) what is the current situation with relation to step free access being progressed at South Kensington London underground, a station which directly serves three of London’s most important museums, and (2) what interventions has TfL taken in relation to the current planning application around South Kensington London Underground station, and (3) will you be taking steps to object to any planning application to a development around South Kensington London Underground station that fails to provide step free access at this station.

The Mayor: I remain committed to delivering improvements at South Kensington station. The plan for this station, which has been part of, and subject to the negotiations with central Government about a funding settlement, will deliver a range of transport improvements for local residents and visitors and provides new shops, workspace and housing, 35 per cent of which will be affordable.
Permission for the station capacity enhancement, including enabling works for step-free access from ticket hall to District and Circle line platforms, has been obtained. Transport for London’s (TfL) and Native Land’s recent planning application for the around station development is currently awaiting determination by the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. This application includes the completion of step-free access from street level to District and Circle line trains. Jointly, these projects would deliver step free access to the Circle and District line platforms.
TfL’s aspiration to deliver step free access to the Piccadilly line trains at South Kensington station is subject to future investment decisions.

Disabled access to roads (2)

David Kurten: Did you do an equality impact assessment for wheelchair users, before implementing your Streetspace programme on Park Lane, Euston Road and other places where they no longer have access to taxis at all points?

The Mayor: The temporary changes implemented as part of the London Streetspace Programme (LSP) are designed to support London’s recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic by facilitating social distancing in the interests of public safety. Encouraging and enabling people to walk and cycle more safely also frees up space on public transport and the roads for those who need it most, including those with protected characteristics such as wheelchair users.
The majority of the projects within the LSP programme have been / are being devised, designed and delivered by the 33 London boroughs, as independent authorities. TfL set out interim guidance for boroughs which makes reference to national guidance from DfT and the borough’s Public Sector Equality Duty under the Equality Act (2010), including specifically, the need for them to carry out Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs). While there is no single overarching EqIA for the LSP Programme, EqIAs are being / have been undertaken for each individual scheme within the programme.
For projects developed and delivered by TfL, care has been taken throughout the process to ensure that due regard is given to all road users, including those with protected characteristics. Clear design guidance for Social Distancing and Cycling schemes was also developed and consideration of impacts and mitigations for all schemes have been supported by EqIAs undertaken at the individual scheme level.
Over the coming months, TfL has committed to extensive monitoring and engagement on projects within the LSP programme, including engaging with stakeholders who represent older and disabled Londoners. Where schemes have disproportionately impacted on accessibility TfL will seek mitigations wherever possible.

Diversity in TfL-managed Advertising Space (2)

Caroline Pidgeon: Can you confirm and provide details of what measures and requirements are in place around diversity in the adverts displayed on TfL advertising space?

The Mayor: Transport for London (TfL) operate an advertising policy, which is in line with the ASA guidelines but also one that also takes into account its unique operating environment. There are no individual clauses in the policy aimed directly at diversity, as diversity is a very wide subject area.
As stated in Mayor's Question 2020/2594, the issue of diversity is advertising is important. That is why we worked with UCL to produce research into diversity into advertising on the TfL estate – the Women We See, why we started the TfL Diversity in Advertising competition in 2018 and why TfL continue to work closely with the advertising industry on this subject.